I Will Stage A Coup D’état - Chapter 128



Only Noblemtl

EP.128 The End of War (2)

On May 7, 1945, in Rheims, France, the Wehrmacht’s Chief of Staff, General Staff General Alfred Jodl, signed the surrender document on behalf of the German army.

“We will never accept any document of surrender that excludes the Soviet Union!”

Although the Soviet Union objected and Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel signed another surrender document in Berlin, it was clear that the war was over.

Oh, of course, signing the surrender document did not activate divine powers and cause all German troops in Europe to raise their hands at the same time.

There were still many places in Europe where German troops remained and resisted.

Based on the original text, the fighting stopped after a week.

So, the surrender agreement was only a symbolic act that formally marked the end of the war.

The battle itself will likely last several more days, as expected.

“The war with the mighty enemy Germany is over, so Your Majesty can sleep soundly. Congratulations on your victory.”

Jeong Gil said in a very happy voice.

The war is over.

I walked to the window with my luggage on my back for a moment.

Jeong Gil-i’s investigation was wrong.

Humanity has always been at war.

Even in moments when it seemed as if there was no war, countries were fighting for their survival.

Through economics, diplomacy, and intelligence.

What is now over is merely a physical form of war.

Does that mean we can assume that there will be no war between great powers using physical force in the future?

That wasn’t it either.

Unfortunately, this world did not know the horror of nuclear weapons.

Unlike Japan, which sacrificed itself to receive two nuclear strikes, the Germany of this world was brought to its knees before nuclear weapons even appeared.

‘A world that doesn’t know about nuclear weapons.’

Since the people and their political leaders were unaware of the power of the weapons at their disposal, it was not surprising that some would seek to plunge the nation once again into the flames of world war.

If I was not careful, the Cold War I knew could have turned into a hot war in the future.

‘If that happens, this world will truly be over.’

Pyongyang could have been blown away in the blink of an eye, twisting his limbs and wasting his efforts to save the empire from war.

So, it was even more necessary to have nukes.

Nuclear weapons were absolutely necessary to ensure South Korea’s survival in the uncertain future ahead.

“Master, call.”

“Oh, yes.”

Jeong Gil picked up the phone and handed it to me.

“Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

“This is Minister of Foreign Affairs Joo Si-kyung.”

“Your Excellency, Minister of Foreign Affairs. I would like to know the results of our contact with Baron Rothschild. Did he respond to our approach?”

“Of course, they have responded positively. We have heard that if they raise their hand on the territorial adjustment issue, we can continue to have good relations in the future.”

That was a bit difficult.

If you get involved in real estate contract issues, you will be criticized for a long time.

No, you get terrorized.

How much of a headache are Islamic fundamentalists in the 21st century?

If possible, it was best to avoid getting involved with them.

“Rather than that, let’s deal with it by providing a moderate amount of support money. If you are a little upset, we can cooperate until Israel’s recognition as a nation. If there is anything else you want to ask for, feel free to tell me.”

“Baron Rothschild would be satisfied with that. You don’t have to worry.”

Are the Rothschilds satisfied with that?

If you could come out like that, I would appreciate it, but that is still an unknown issue.

“If the conversation goes well, please tell him that I would like to meet with David Ben-Gurion to strengthen cooperation between the two sides.”

“David Ben-Gurion?”

“He is a very important person. He is as important as Rothschild, so I hope he will convey my intentions clearly.”

“I will do that.”

David Ben-Gurion would become Israel’s first prime minister.

As a powerful leader of Zionism, it was of utmost importance to have a conversation with him.

If only Israel’s cooperation could be obtained, the time required to develop nuclear weapons could be shortened significantly compared to the original plan.

In return, there was no problem with sharing nukes.

The Palestinians might have a hard time, but their X is none of our business anyway.

Israel is pretty much settled with this,

All that’s left is for us to prepare.

“Jungjungdae. Chief Lee?”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“How is the Energy Research Institute for Human Peace going? Are there any problems with securing uranium or preparing the facilities?”

The research institute, established just before the end of the war, was formally under the Ministry of Resources and Industry, but its actual management was handled by the Central Government.

As the name suggests, the institute aims to create a beautiful sun that will protect peace.

“We have secured the minerals, but there has been no progress in the work due to persuading scientists and preparing the equipment. It is expected that actual research will be possible in a year.”

Well, it wasn’t that slow.

The Soviet Union, ranked second among the great powers, also began developing nuclear weapons in 1943, but actually accelerated its development in 1945.

Considering that, a one year difference wasn’t bad.

My goal was to be third in the ranking of great powers, not first.

“Preparation can be slow. As long as you get things done properly, it doesn’t matter. Just manage it well so that there are no mistakes.”

“Don’t worry. We will prepare thoroughly.”

“And as for the cost issue, let’s cover it with the central budget for now. We’ll fill it once the funds are secured.”

“I will accept it.”

“Let’s trust only you in this matter.”

I looked up at the blue sky for a moment and then asked Jeong Gil.

“Do you think this war is the last war our country will fight?”

Although it is a matter that he has come to his own conclusion, I wanted to hear the perspective of Jeong Gil, an ordinary person.

“The superficial enemy has disappeared, right? In that context, I think the war is over.”

That’s a theoretical story.

“That’s true.”

But that was also wrong.

We have always been competing with the major powers.

The moment we fall behind in that competition, we will follow in the footsteps of the old powers like Britain, France and Germany, who were pushed into the back alleys of history.

Think of it as the Red Queen effect.

I did not want Korea to fall behind and become a second-rate country like the old powers.

This is the country I have dedicated 10 years of my life to.

Before I survived, it was my territory that I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into.

Would you allow such a valuable achievement to be looked down upon by others?

It was impossible.

“However, this is not a situation where we can completely rest assured.”

Korea was in a position of neither here nor there.

Since it was neither a liberal democracy nor a communist party, Misora ​​could not get full support from the big brothers of both camps.

Rather, it was a fortunate position if it was not subject to restraint.

“Are you saying that Korea’s position is unstable? However, I understand that there are quite a few countries and organizations that sympathize with the Korean-style democracy that Your Excellency mentioned. Considering their support, I wonder if Korea has something to be afraid of.”

“Your Majesty, you haven’t learned much about politics yet. Do you know what the basics of politics are? It’s figuring out the hierarchy. There are two strongest men, so how many people would really want to line up with a mediocre one?”

This was a problem that even the original Indians had experienced.

No matter how much they advocated non-alignment, when faced with real danger they ran to the United States or the Soviet Union.

In fact, India itself, which had been saying that this was not right, was beaten by China and asked for understanding from the Soviet Union and begged for help from the United States.

If you don’t have strength, that’s what happens.

To stand as the leader of at least one faction, one had to have the power to match.

Korea does not have that power yet.

So even if there were groups or groups that followed Korea, it was difficult for them to emerge as a significant force.

Even if it does appear, how much help will it be to newly-formed nations or weak nations whose politics are in turmoil?

On the contrary, it would be fortunate if you could ask for help without wasting your strength.

“That’s why balance is important. As long as there is a balance between the two major powers, we can gain enough power to claim to be a third power.”

“Then, wouldn’t the current situation be advantageous to us?”

It wasn’t a cold war yet, but everyone was feeling it.

The world was divided in two.

As Jeong Gil said, the world being divided in two was clearly advantageous to us.

“It may seem that way for now. But the picture can change at any time.”

Now that the world war is over, my knowledge of the original text is of little use.

How do you predict what the future of a world without nuclear weapons will look like?

“Are you saying that the picture has changed?”

“Of course, it won’t change that easily. But what does a leader do? He’s someone who prepares an umbrella in case of rain that won’t come tomorrow.”

National leaders must always look to the distant future and prepare for it.

Especially for those in power who are given a long period of time, it is essential to have a long-term perspective.

As a dictator with infinite responsibility for Korea, I had a duty to do so.

“That’s right.”

“Actually, the moment I heard the news of Germany’s defeat, I was more afraid than happy that the common enemy that had received everyone’s anger would disappear.”

“Your Excellency, you look very sad. But I hope you will put such worries to rest today. Isn’t this the day when the Empire finally won a war of global proportions? How many times has something like this happened during your tenure?”

How many times should this not happen?

This only happened once.

Well, I think it’s a bit over the top to be brooding on the day the war was won.

“I understand what you’re saying. Just give me some light.”

“I will accept it.”

I took a puff on a cigar to celebrate the end of the war.

As the victorious prime minister, the taste of the cigarettes he smoked was bitter yet sweet.

The blurred outline of the Korean Empire was visible through the slowly dispersing gray-white smoke.

It seemed to symbolize our own path toward a hazy future.